Vigorously Advocating For Your Parenting Time And Child Custody
Obtaining custody of your children is often the top priority of most parents going through a divorce (or a breakup, for unmarried parents). Because this topic is so fraught and consequential, clients tend to come in with a lot of misinformation and fear.
While no attorney can guarantee a certain result, working with the right attorney can give you the best chance of preserving a strong relationship with your children ensuring their well-being. When you hire Fiore Law Group, you’ll be working with an attorney who cares about your case as much as you do and will work tirelessly to help you seek a favorable outcome.
What Are The Types Of Child Custody?
In both New Jersey and Pennsylvania, courts assign two types of custody. Legal custody refers to the decision-making authority granted to each parent (over major life decisions like religious indoctrination, medical care and schooling). Physical custody refers to the time each parent gets to spend with the child or children.
Assuming both parents are deemed fit, courts tend to award joint legal custody in both states, so that both parents retain input into major decisions impacting their kids. And, although practices may vary slightly, courts prefer to keep both parents involved in their children’s lives by awarding shared physical custody. The division is not always 50/50, however.
When circumstances warrant, one parent can seek both sole legal and physical custody.
A Note About Legal Terminology
While child custody remains a commonly used catch-all term, many states are adopting the term parenting time to replace physical custody. Some are also adopting parental responsibilities to replace legal custody. Although attorneys are well aware of the most up-to-date terminology and exact definitions, they may use older terms with clients because these terms are already well-understood among the general public.
Who Decides On Custody And Parenting Time?
Family law judges in Pennsylvania and New Jersey have the final say in awarding parenting time, and they will issue a ruling if there is significant disagreement between parents. However, in both states, judges greatly prefer that parents reach a parenting agreement on their own (with the help of their attorneys, of course). If you and your ex-spouse can negotiate an agreement together, you will have much more control over the terms and the outcome of the agreement. You will likely also avoid the bitterness and acrimony that can negatively impact children when custody is highly contested.
Talk To A Lawyer About Your Legal Needs
To discuss your child custody concerns with an experienced divorce lawyer, call 856-214-8964 or fill out an online contact form. The firm has two convenient office locations in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and Doylestown, Pennsylvania.
